Anisha Abraham, a paediatrician and teen health specialist, has observed an increasing number of overwhelmed and stressed children – some as young as 9 or 10 years old – and believes boredom could be in the interest of children.
Extracurricular activities can be very useful and beneficial for children, providing them with opportunities to find friends, gain new skills, socialize, learn to manage their time, and assume additional responsibilities. However, according to Abraham, ‘too many structured activities can cause huge amounts of stress’. This, in turn, can affect a child’s overall wellbeing when extracurricular activities become a burden, and academic achievements are made a priority over developing important life skills.
How to strike a balance? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but Abraham reminds that:
- Each child has different needs, interests, and preferences determining where the balance lies
- It is important to re-evaluate activities occasionally and let children decide what they want to participate in
- Stress signs vary depending on age and many other factors, and parents should be aware of that
- Parents should lead by example and present a good role model for their children
- The community has to be aware that balance is important! Schools in the Netherlands have reduced classes on Wednesdays and start one hour later on Fridays to give children more free time to play sports and relax.